Declaration of the Báb: May 23
Declaration of the Báb is a religious observance for the followers of Bahá’í.
On May 23, followers of the Bahá’í faith celebrate the Declaration of the Báb, Baha’u’llah’s forerunner. On this date, in 1844, the Báb (Arabic for “gate”) announced that he was the carrier of the news of the Divine Revelation. It is one of the nine holy days in which Bahá’ís do not work.
History of Declaration of the Báb
On May 23, 1844, Siyyid `Alí Mulammad Shírází declared himself to the Promised One of Islam, the Qa’im, taking the title of Báb. The Báb was the leader of the Badi Faith. Baha’u’llah was to be a follower of the Báb and the one that the Báb knew was a manifestation of God.
Mullá Husayn, first disciple of the Báb, his brother, and a nephew were sent to the city of Shíráz on May 22, 1844, searching for the Qa’im. They went to the local mosque and waited. A young man approached them and greeted the party in a way that left Mullá Husayn surprised and intrigued. He went with the young man to his house where they drank tea, and preparations were made for the evening prayer. As time approached to leave for the evening prayer in the mosque, Mullá Husayn excused himself to leave, but the young man, identifying himself as Siyyid `Alí Mulammad Shírází, asked him to stay and proclaimed himself the Qa’im that they were looking for.
Siyyid Alí Muhammád began to demonstrate how the signs of the coming of the Qa’im were related to him. Mullá Husayn had prepared some tests for anyone that would claim to be the Qa’im. Siyyid Alí Muhammád gave all the right answers in a proper and fast way. Mullá Husayn was impressed, and from that day forward Siyyid Alí Muhammád was called the Báb, or the Gate, with Mullá Husayn becoming his first disciple.
This day marked the beginning of persecutions and thousands of deaths among the Báb’s followers. Mullá Husayn was killed in 1849, and the Báb was executed soon after in 1850. His message remained alive, and today millions of Bahá’ís celebrate on May 23 the Declaration of the Báb as one of the greatest and most significant of all holy days.
Declaration of the Báb Traditions, Customs and Activities
The Declaration of the Báb is celebrated at about two hours after sunset. Bahá’ís get together on this day and profess their faith by retelling the story of the Báb and his declaration. After the formal programs that are prepared by each group, there is food, conversation, and singing, all in a very welcoming spirit to everyone as it is common of the Baha’i faith. The celebrations are held in a spirit of unity and friendship, open to anyone that would like to attend and experience the Baha’i living faith and history.
Other interesting posts:
- Ascension of Baha’u'llah Commemorated by Followers of Bahá’í
- The First Day of Ridván Festival Celebrated by Followers of Bahá’í
- The Ninth Day of Ridván Festival Celebrated by Followers of Bahá’í
- The Nineteen Day Fast Observed by the Followers of Bahá’í
- Bahá’i Celebrates the Birth of the Baha’u'llah
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